Two thirds “extremely/very” happy with life

TORONTO December
2nd, 2015 – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The
Forum Poll™ among 1001 Ontario adults, as many as two thirds (63%) say they are
extremely (28%) or very happy (35%) with their lives, while a further one
quarter say they are happy (27%). Fewer than one tenth are not happy with life
(9%), and very few are not at all happy (2%).

Biggest fear is poor health

The
biggest fear mentioned from the list presented was poor health for the
respondent or their family (28%), followed by economic collapse or death of a
loved one (17% each). Other fears not as commonly mentioned include terrorism
(8%), job loss or one’s own death (5% each) and a romantic break up (3%).

Kindness most important in children

When
asked what value they would most wish they instilled in their children and or
grandchildren, kindness is mentioned most often (30%), followed by a good work
ethic (25%). Other values much less commonly mentioned include ambition (8%),
leadership (7%), curiosity or courage (5% each) and, least of all, teamwork
(4%).

Blue Jays team with most fans, Leafs second

When
asked which team they will root for, most say the Toronto Blue Jays (28%), and
about half as many say the Maple Leafs (12%). Other Ontario teams which do not
do as well include the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Raptors (6% each), the
Hamilton Tiger Cats (4%), the Ottawa Red Blacks (3%), the Toronto Football Club
or the Toronto Argonauts (2% each).

Europe most desirable travel destination, then Canada

When
asked where they would most like to travel, most Ontarians say Europe (29%),
closely followed by travel in Canada (23%). The Caribbean is favoured (16%), as
is Australia (10%), both more so than the US or Asia (6% each), Latin America
(5%) or Africa (4%).

Satisfaction with life very high, also job, work/life balance
and sex life

Satisfaction
with life in general is common to virtually all Ontarians (85%), of whom more
than 4-in-10 are very satisfied (41%) or somewhat satisfied (44%). About two
thirds are satisfied overall with their job security (64%), their sex life (62%
and their work/life balance (62%). There is less satisfaction for the amount of
stress experienced (55%) and few say they are very satisfied (14%).

Most won’t give up any vices, most common is overeating

When
asked which behaviours they would try to stop or limit in the New Year, the
largest group (41%) say “none of these”. The most commonly mentioned is
overeating (20%), followed by overspending (14%). Smoking (8%) and drinking
(3%) are targets for few, while 1-in-6 says more than one vice will be tackled
(14%).

Next year seen to be more promising than last

Ontarians
are asked to rate how promising 2015 was on a 10 point scale, and do the same
for their hopes for 2016. On average, 2015 takes a score of 6 out of 10, while
2016 is seen to have more promise, with an average score of 7 out of 10. The
youngest and wealthiest see 2015 in the most positive light (average score of
7). The mid aged and the less wealthy see 2016 in a slightly less positive
light (average score of 6).

Child or spouse are most loved of all

Ontarians
are equally likely to say they love their spouse (32%) or a child (30%) most of
all, followed by a parent (10%). After these come a boyfriend or girlfriend
(8%), a pet (4%) or a fiancée (1%). Few are in the unhappy position of having
no one to love (4%).

6-in-10 say world is now a more dangerous place

Well
more than half (57%) say the world is a more dangerous place this year than
last, compared to one tenth this proportion who say it is less dangerous (6%).
Close to 4-in-10 believe the world is neither more nor less dangerous now than
last year (37%).

Exercising, saving money are goals for New Year

When
asked what goals they had set for the New Year, relatively equal proportions
mention exercising more (18%) or saving more money (15%). After this comes
getting a job (or a better job - 13%), spending time with family (12%), travelling
(10%), starting or improving a relationship (9%) or doing home renovations (8%).

Good health is greatest wish

When
asked what their one wish might be, most choose good health for themselves and
their families (31%), followed by an end to global conflict (26%). Other wishes
include winning a lottery (14%), the discovery of a cure for cancer or another
disease (10%), a better economy (5%), immortality (4%) and to be more
physically attractive 2%).

Most would be the Bat-Man or Wonder Woman

If
given their choice of superheroes, most Ontarians think they would be Wonder
Woman (12%) and a similar proportion would be the Bat-Man (10%). Curiously, a
small percentage of men want to be Wonder Woman (2%) and an equally small percentage
of women want to be the Bat-Man (3%).Other well-known superheroes, including
Spider-Man and Superman, are not chosen by more than one twentieth.

Travelling most common entertainment for 2016

The
largest group of Ontarians say travelling is what they will chiefly do for
entertainment in 2016 (29%), followed by entertaining at home (20%). Other,
less commonly cited diversions include attending concerts (8%), playing sports
(7%), attending sports (6%), visiting museums and galleries (4%) or going out
to clubs and bars (3%).

Spare time in 2016 will be spent with family

The
most common response to the question of what will fill respondents’ free time
is spending time with family (30%), and nothing else is mentioned this
frequently. Other pastimes will include hobbies (14%), exercising (12%),
reading (10%), on the internet or watching TV (9% each).

“There is a lot of depth in these findings, but many of the
activities people engage in now or will engage in in the next year are centred
on the home and the family, which may be a reaction to a world which many see
getting more dangerous," said
Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.

Lorne Bozinoff,
Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.